British police have arrested two suspects following a mass stabbing on a London-bound train that left 10 passengers injured, nine of them with life-threatening wounds, late Saturday evening.
Armed officers and multiple ambulances responded to the scene after the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train, travelling from Doncaster to King’s Cross, was halted at Huntingdon Station in Cambridgeshire.
“Ten people have been taken to hospital following a multiple stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire. Nine are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries,” the British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed on X, noting that counter-terrorism officers were assisting the investigation.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as passengers fled in panic, some locking themselves in washrooms to escape the attacker wielding a large knife.
“There was blood everywhere,” one passenger told The Times, adding that some people were trampled as they tried to run.
Police later confirmed that a suspect was tasered and restrained on the platform after the train was stopped.
Massive Emergency Response
The East of England Ambulance Service said it launched a “large-scale response,” deploying ambulances, air ambulances, and tactical commanders to the station.
Late Saturday, investigators sealed off the area as a crime scene, while photos showed officers examining the LNER Azuma train under floodlights.
Train operator LNER warned passengers not to travel, citing “major disruption” as services were suspended in the area.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as “appalling and deeply concerning.”
“My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their swift response,” Starmer said on X.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that two suspects were in custody, while Cambridgeshire Mayor Paul Bristow called the attack “horrendous,” offering his prayers to the victims.
Knife Crime Concerns
The attack comes amid rising concern over knife crime in England and Wales, which has been steadily increasing since 2011.
Despite strict gun laws, authorities have described knife violence as a “national crisis.” The Labour government says nearly 60,000 blades have been seized or surrendered in the past year as part of efforts to cut knife crime in half within a decade.
The motive for Saturday’s attack remains under investigation.
